IOCL workers take heat on day 67

“There is a massive collusion,” said Ronald Williams, the Oilfield Workers Trade Union Shop Sterward for IOCL, as the striking workers entered their sixty seventh day of striking. Speaking under a strike camp along the Southern Main Road near Oropouche Junction yesterday, Williams added “My President General (Ancel Roget) has been saying that, because up to now Petrotrin has not taken action against these people.” Williams said that the government wasted no time to go after OAS Construtora to recover the millions paid to the company for its failure to complete construction of the Point Fortin Highway, yet they are not doing anything of the sort for a “small contractor” like IOCL. IOCL provides marine transport for Trinmar’s offshore workers. Williams said their strike has caused Trinmar to suffer a severe drop in production resulting in serious losses in revenue.

“We understand, however, that Petrotrin has been advertising for a new service provider be it local, be it foreign,” said Williams. “If IOCL wants to standby and let the most lucrative of all contracts in marine transport in Trinidad slip through their hands for whatever reason, so be it. That is their fault.” IOCL workers have gone without salaries for two months, but they did not allow that to put a damper on their Christmas. They beat their drums and chanted yesterday around a lit Christmas tree.

“Today is our sixty-seventh day so a few days to go again,” said Ronald Williams, “We are as strong as ever, we are as committed as ever to this camp, and when the time comes, if it has to go to the Industrial Court, that is where it will go.” “The Christmas season did not put a damper on us at all. Christmases will come and go, some will be better than others as all of us have experienced in our lives. It will come again, but Christmas can’t stop us from doing what is right, fighting for peace, bread and justice.” IOCL workers are demanding that they are paid the minimum wages of Trinmar employees which, they say, is supposed to be paid to contract workers